Arts & culture

Eldoret's 'Paradise of Thorns' play stuns with powerful tale of fatherhood, single parenting

Paradise of Thorns showcased Eldoret’s rising theatre prowess and sparked a call for unity to transform Kenya’s stage culture, proving passion can fill auditoriums.

Sandra Nekh: Author launches 'No Saints,' bold Kenyan thriller on cults, crime, dark secrets

No Saints follows the journey of St Clair, a cult leader's daughter, who escapes that life but remains entangled in the web of drugs, secrets, and survival.

Frederick Forsyth: 'The Day of the Jackal', 'The Biafra Story' author dead at 86 after short illness

'The Day of the Jackal', 'The Biafra Story' author Frederick Forsyth died at 86 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

Anointed Cartel: Play takes on unholy union of clergy and politicians

A Kenyan play exposes the corrupt alliance between religious leaders and politicians who exploit congregants for money while silencing activists who challenge their crimes.

A musical journey across cultures: Oldest wind instrument the Didgeridoo meets classical violins

William Barton blends the ancient didgeridoo with diverse musical traditions and Kenyan violinists to create a powerful, cross-cultural story of land, spirit, and identity through music.

Theatre lovers pack Cheche gallery for deeply personal one-man play

Faiz Francis Ouma’s powerful one-man play explores fatherhood, healing, and emotional vulnerability through a deeply personal performance blending storytelling, dance, and voiceovers.

Kasongo the Wan Tam School Captain: Steve Biko Omondi's book boldly takes on Kenya's political realities

The collection of short stories is attracting attention from major booksellers, with readers hailing it as a fearless critique of Kenya’s current political climate.

Bold visions: Art and soul of Ngabo El'Cesart

Ngabo El’Cesart is an Afro-futurist visual artist whose vibrant, culturally rich work and thoughtfully curated home space celebrate Black identity, creativity, and self-expression.

Christian film 'Prophet Suddenly 3' hits 1 million views in 48 hours

Bishop John CW emphasised that the film’s success signals a call for the church to actively engage and influence culture through the arts and entertainment sectors.

Ndung'u Mbithi's details journey through mental health in striking exhibition

Ndung’u Mbithi’s solo exhibition Between the Bars uses intricate sisal weaving, painting, and installations to explore his personal struggles with suicide, alcoholism, mental health, and healing.

A final performance: A look at upcoming play featuring Ngugi wa Thiong'o in pictures

is June, Kenyans will have a chance to hear and witness the late literary legend Ngugi wa Thiong’o in action in one of his plays, 'The Trial of Dedan Kimathi'.

'Between the Bars' exhibition sheds light on mental health, addiction through personal experience

The exhibition title itself is inspired by Between the Bars, a haunting song by American singer Elliott Smith, who battled addiction and mental illness.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o encouraged mother tongue, said ignoring it form of enslavement

Author Ngugi wa Thiong’o said he had no respect for people who did not know their mother tongue, calling it a form of enslavement.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o: Tributes pour in for literary giant who gave voice to Africa

The global literary community is mourning after the passing of writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who died at the age of 87 after a prolonged illness.

Affordable art show shines spotlight on East African talent at Nairobi National Museum

The 18th Affordable Art Show brought together over 400 East African artists and 4,000 visitors, showcasing diverse visual artworks and spotlighting issues like gender-based violence.

'The Ties that Bind' exhibition: Five artists transform sculpture, photography, and fabric into stories that speak

‘The Ties That Bind’ is a thought-provoking installation exhibition where five artists explore identity, memory, labour, and history through immersive works.

The new champions of Kenyan theatre

Kenya's theatre industry is thriving in 2024 with a surge in original stage productions and growing collaborations among production houses, driven by passionate artists who are reshaping storytelling.

A place for Fikile: A heartwarming journey of autism, acceptance, and inclusion

A Place for Fikile is a children’s book about a boy with autism learning acceptance and inclusion with help from his family and community.

Artists unite across generations in 'Dust to Form' exhibition

“Dust to Form” is a multigenerational exhibition by mentor Patrick Mukabi and protégé Jimmy Kitheka, celebrating the legacy of artistic mentorship through charcoal works.

Abel Mutua, Phil Karanja shine big with winning films at AMVCA awards

Kenyan filmmakers, led by Abel Mutua, made a strong impact at the 2025 AMVCA awards with multiple wins and nominations, showcasing the country's growing influence in African cinema.